Chapter 8

Very quick update on this. I am doing these chapters pretty fast so I hope the errors aren't too bad. Thanks for reading and review if ya like it.

"Something's not right." Fili commented. His hands went to the rock formation as if the texture of the stone would tell him its secrets. Fili had finally awakened Bilbo more than two hours after dawn. After a cold breakfast they began to trek away some distance from the river. The hobbit was confused. He had no knowledge of caves or deep underground rivers other than what the journey had shown him. Those had been horrible, nasty places that he preferred to banish from his memory. The only good thing to come from those dank places had been his magic ring.

Of course he had followed Fili after a shrug. They spent the day in slightly more conversation than the last. Fili explained what he knew of such matters to the hobbit. Bilbo tried to stay attentitive as they wandered over the countryside. Once in a while he would ask a question, just to keep the discussion flowing. What mattered the most to the hobbit was Fili was less depressed and more optimistic about finding his lost sibling.

"I don't understand. How is something not right? I mean it's a bunch of rocks." Bilbo tilted his head to the side. 'Nope, changing his viewpoint did not help at all.'

Fili put his hands on hips and let out a long sigh.

"I think we should eat something."

Fili laughed.

Bilbo twisted up his face. "It is long past luncheon. We have to maintain our strength." He was terribly hungry.

Fili gave Bilbo a small smile. He hadn't meant to offend his companion. "It's okay, Bilbo. I wasn't laughing at you. You're right we should eat."

"Good. I'll get started. I think we have some bacon and potatoes. If I can have a fire that is." Bilbo asked, his stomach growly loudly at the thought of food. Hobbits were not meant to go without warm meals. Of course they weren't meant to be wandering around lost in yet another harsh area either.

Fili nodded absentmindedly. "Go ahead. We haven't seen any sign of inhabitants. Orcs and goblins are sleeping." Fili climbed up one tall granite boulder and continued his search.

"Hmm." Bilbo pulled out Sting just to be certain. No blue glow greeted his eyes. 'Never hurt to be certain.' Satisfied, he began to gather some wood to start a fire. It was obvious the dwarf was content for Bilbo to do the cooking while he continued on exploring. As long as he stayed nearby, Bilbo was fine with it.

Fili had told him the Mirkwood Elves would have long given up their search. They rarely strayed from their forest. Bilbo had screwed up his face still filled with anxiety. He wasn't entirely convinced. After all, he had spent a great deal more time wandering around the elves. They were a proud determined people. However, he still had his ring. If naught else he could slip away again and get help for Fili.

Bilbo pulled out a cast iron skillet. He had found in the kitchen yesterday while gathering supplies for their journey. It was well seasoned and he knew it would do the job once the fire got hot. For some strange reason, he felt curiously comforted by the utensil.

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"Hide the boats." Grendle ordered the other three. Ricklyn had roped his friend into coming along on the adventure. At first the others weren't happy about their shares of the booty going down. However, Ricklyn pointed out this was a dwarf prince who had lots of combat training. They needed to take him alive. Or else there would be no ransom. The hobbit, well they weren't concerned about him in the least. Least not fighting, anyhow. Plus Farley had a bow and could actually hit a target. That could also come in handy.

It was rumored that the hobbit was a close personal friend of King Thorin. So perhaps he might be worth a bit of gold too. However, they had all decided if the hobbit was too much trouble, he'd just be killed. It was simpler that way. Show Thorin and his greedy ilk they were serious.

Grendle was in charge of the motley crew. He had some skill in tracking, as did his cousin, Gambol. Fortunately, the hobbit left some good tracks in the mud. Not that either was being particularly mindful of hiding their presence along the river.

So the four tramped through the river's banks as quietly as possible. They did not want to announce their presence to the dwarf. It wasn't always easy. Ricklyn slipped and fell into the waters at one point. When he waded to the shore he blamed Gambol. The two got in a heated fight which ended with both of them back in the river.

Grendle had been furious. He kicked both of them as they tried to right themselves. Then he threatened to kill Ricklyn if tried such a stupid stunt on Gambol again.

Ricklyn grumbled but looked away from Grendle's fury. They settled down after that.

They continued up the river looking for the Heir of Erebor.

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Kili rose up from the picnic blanket. He felt terrible. Kili never intended to stare at Ade's face. He just been so startled at first finally see her. Then to be confronted with those twin deep scars. He'd been shocked. Kili hit his head with both hands. Ade thought him rude and so did Tomtom.

He didn't blame either of them for that. This is why he would stink at being a diplomat. His expressions, his feelings were always at the surface. He tried to hide them. Be more like Fili and Thorin. Sometimes he succeeded. Usually it was when their lives or his was being threatened. Otherwise, not so much.

Kili had to apologize. Of all the people he'd met, Ade and Tomtom were the friendliest and most fun on this stupid journey. He just had to make things right with Ade. If Ade wad happy, so Tomtom would be also. So he straightened his sheet kilt and set out to find the duo.

It didn't take him too long. Tomtom left a pretty clear trail. After a few minutes, he could hear Ade's sobs. He stopped and took cover behind some bushes. Kili bit his lip, not sure how to proceed.

Ade was sitting underneath a tree. Nearby a fast flowing stream emerged from a small waterfall. Tomtom sat beside her, one massive arm around her shoulders. The giant cradled her close. The two had their backs to Kili, their attention on the water. Ade's hat was discarded some feet beside her.

Every so often Tomtom would mumble, "Tom." Ade would sniffle, her head laid on his massive chest.

Kili debated leaving. Maybe it would be best if he apologized at the house, when finally Ade spoke.

"Tomtom. You're the best, the greatest friend a person could have." Ade told her companion. The affection was obvious in her voice no matter what she said.

Tomtom smiled. He began to stroke her golden curls.

Ade stopped sobbing. "I'm sorry I ruined our fun day."

"Tom." The giant said, but his face indicated he did not blame his friend at all.

Ade shook her golden head, "Nope, it's my fault. I forgot to retie my hat. Kili Notwhat saw how hideous I am."

Tomtom did not like Ade blaming herself. It was only an accident. "Tomtom, tomtom, tomtom!"

"Well, of course. You're used to me. You never thought I was ugly." Ade reasoned. She didn't really blame Kili for his reaction. It was a normal thing she imagined. Which was another reason the dwarf had absolutely no desire to leave Everpeace.

Tomtom rolled his eyes. This was one of those things Ade was so slow about, "Tom, OM, om, tom!"

"You're right. I shouldn't listen to the past. I'm sorry. I can't forget that day. I never will." Ade's voice grew somber. She involuntarily shudder at the memory.

Tomtom sighed. Best for his friend to never think on the horrible time.

Ade patted Tomtom's leg in sympathy,"I know you haven't either. We just fooled ourselves. Put it away on a shelf and make believed it away."

"Tomtom. Mmm." The giant pointed to the faraway gate hidden by the trees and greenery.

She nodded. "Yea. He'll leave soon. Probably is at the gate already. But that's okay. It'll just go back to you and me. Kili is fun. But his life is out there, not with us two." For a brief moment today, Ade thought about asking Kili to stay. Of course she'd talk it over with Tomtom first. It was so spontaneous with Kili around, even more than normal. She liked that. Plus he was young and friendly like her. Ade didn't not like to dwell on the thought he dearest friend, Tomtom aged so much faster than she. 'Why couldn't he be the dwarf and she be the giant? She'd died first. Plus she wouldn't have to stand on Tomtom's shoulders so often to paint or grab things.'

Her dear friend knew Ade was still on her dark path, despite her talk. "Tomtomtom." He reasoned. He was thinking so hard this day. Tomtom expected to have a headache.

"Yeah, he'd be good to stay if he never did see me. But he did. Plus he really misses his brother. Like I'd miss you on the other side." Ade was pleased Tomtom had wanted Kili to stay too. He believed Kili would get used to the markings.

"Tomtom, tom." Tomtom grabbed Ade in a firm, but gentle hug. He reminded her they were friends forever, even if Kili stayed away.

She smiled at him, her normal joy at the world slowly returning. "I know. I feel the same."

"Om." Tomtom made flapping motions.

"He did make for a silly bee. Thank you for making me smile. I guess we better head to back to get the basket and the blanket. See if Kili is up a tree. Or maybe he dug a hole. Sometimes, I think holes are nice." She mused.

"Tom." Tomtom was more of a wide open spaces kind of guy.

"If he is too, what's the word? Ugsted? I forget. Don't use it. " She furrowed her brow trying to remember. Some words were hard to think about. She could read them. But she wasn't always sure if they sounded or meant what she though. Words had different magic when spoken out loud.

Tomtom shrugged. He did not like new words. He was quite content with what he had. "Tom, om."

She shrugged. "If he's like the crazy bee, I'll hide in the library. You take him to the gate when its time. Then it'll all go back to normal! We'll celebrate. I know! We'll reread the tales about those talking animals in that jungle place. We liked the pictures in that book. Oh, and I'll draw some new pictures and you can make me a new journal. We'll write down all the fun stuff we had with Kili and color drawings of him. Plus I can write about the surgery. See it will be okay, I'll be alright." Ade clapped her hands together, her normal energy level returning.

The two stood up and Kili silently turned to leave. He hurried back to the site of their picnic. He would be there waiting. Kili's mind was on what he overheard Ade say. Of course he didn't understand a single syllable of Tomtom's discussion. However, Ade's words left him puzzled. 'What was this day they both mourned? Was that when her faced was wounded? Who the hell would do such a thing to Ade? She didn't have a harsh bone in her body!' The thought of someone intentionally hurting the poor dwarrow made him angry. Whoever it had been had hurt Tomtom too somehow. Kili wanted to know who had done such injuries. If he or they were alive, well, he'd find them. Kili would return the nature of the scars tenfold on their own bodies.

Kili still had so much he wanted to show Ade and Tomtom. He knew he was sworn to secrecy, but Kili had hoped to convince them to bring Fili here. He didn't want to leave and never see them again.

So he would sit and wait. And when they returned, Kili would show them he was still their friend.